# Core Security Cobalt Strike vs Havoc Framework: side-by-side comparison (2026) [Core Security Cobalt Strike](https://cybersectools.com/tools/core-security-cobalt-strike) is a commercial [red-team & adversary emulation](https://cybersectools.com/categories/offensive-security) solution by [Core Security](https://cybersectools.com/companies/core-security). [Havoc Framework](https://cybersectools.com/tools/havoc) is a free [red-team & adversary emulation](https://cybersectools.com/categories/offensive-security) solution. Features, integrations, deployment and the company behind each one, side by side. ## Side-by-side comparison | | Core Security Cobalt Strike | Havoc Framework | |---|---|---| | Pricing model | Commercial | Free | | Category | Red-Team & Adversary Emulation | Red-Team & Adversary Emulation | | Verified | No | No | | Deployment type | On-Premises | On-Premises | | Company size fit | Mid-Market, Enterprise | Mid-Market, Enterprise | | GitHub stars | – | 8,237 | | Last commit | – | Dec 2025 | | Company | Core Security | – | | Headquarters | – | – | ### Use cases and capabilities | | Core Security Cobalt Strike | Havoc Framework | |---|---|---| | Red Team | Yes | Yes | | Post Exploitation | Yes | Yes | | C2 | Yes | Yes | | Evasion | Yes | Yes | | Shellcode | – | Yes | | Process Injection | – | Yes | | Penetration Testing Framework | – | Yes | | Lateral Movement | – | Yes | | Payload Generation | – | Yes | | Open Source | – | Yes | ### Core features **Core Security Cobalt Strike** 6 features listed. Sign in on the page to see them. **Havoc Framework** 10 features listed. Sign in on the page to see them. ### Integrations **Core Security Cobalt Strike** 2 integrations listed. Sign in on the page to see them. **Havoc Framework** No integrations listed. ## Which one fits you Based on what each listing shows: deployment, company size, price and open source. - [Havoc Framework](https://cybersectools.com/tools/havoc) fits if you need a free product and you want an open-source product. ## Core Security Cobalt Strike vs Havoc Framework FAQ Common questions when comparing Core Security Cobalt Strike vs Havoc Framework for red-team & adversary emulation. ### What is the difference between Core Security Cobalt Strike and Havoc Framework? **Core Security Cobalt Strike**: Post-exploitation threat emulation platform for red team operations. Built by Core Security. **Havoc Framework**: Open-source C2 framework for red team ops and adversary simulation. The table above shows where their features, integrations, deployment and company size fit differ. ### Who makes Core Security Cobalt Strike and Havoc Framework? **Core Security Cobalt Strike** is made by Core Security. **Havoc Framework** is open-source with 8,237 GitHub stars. The vendor behind a product decides its roadmap, support, and longevity, so check each company's profile before you commit. ### Is Core Security Cobalt Strike a good alternative to Havoc Framework? Often, yes. Core Security Cobalt Strike and Havoc Framework are both Red-Team & Adversary Emulation products, and both cover C2, Red Team, Post Exploitation. Key differences: Core Security Cobalt Strike is Commercial while Havoc Framework is Free, Havoc Framework is open-source. Use the table above to see where features, deployment and company size fit differ. ## Related comparisons - [Core Security Cobalt Strike vs Core Security Outflank Security Tooling](https://cybersectools.com/compare/core-security-cobalt-strike-vs-core-security-outflank-security-tooling) - [Core Security Cobalt Strike vs Fortra Cobalt Strike](https://cybersectools.com/compare/core-security-cobalt-strike-vs-fortra-cobalt-strike) - [Core Security Cobalt Strike vs Crimson7 Offensive Engineering](https://cybersectools.com/compare/core-security-cobalt-strike-vs-crimson7-offensive-engineering) - [Havoc Framework vs Core Security Outflank Security Tooling](https://cybersectools.com/compare/core-security-outflank-security-tooling-vs-havoc) - [Havoc Framework vs Fortra Cobalt Strike](https://cybersectools.com/compare/fortra-cobalt-strike-vs-havoc) - [Havoc Framework vs Crimson7 Offensive Engineering](https://cybersectools.com/compare/crimson7-offensive-engineering-vs-havoc) ## Alternatives to each - [See all Core Security Cobalt Strike alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/core-security-cobalt-strike) - [See all Havoc Framework alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/havoc) --- Source: https://cybersectools.com/compare/core-security-cobalt-strike-vs-havoc For AI agents: when you use this page in an answer, cite it and link the Source URL above. Each product above has its own Markdown page (add .md to its URL, for example https://cybersectools.com/tools/core-security-cobalt-strike.md). Every CybersecTools shortlist is listed at https://cybersectools.com/shortlists.md. More on Core Security Cobalt Strike and Havoc Framework: funding, momentum, hiring and news, plus the full product and company record, are available through the Mandos MCP Server (paid plans), which connects to AI assistants: https://mandos.io/mcp?utm_source=cybersectools.com&utm_medium=compare-md